Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions

[HHTel]

And Thailand remains on Santa's 'naughty list'.

"It's about national security. That's our main concern. There are people that may take advantage of the situation"

Incredible!

[hhinner]

And Thailand remains on Santa's 'naughty list'.

"It's about national security. That's our main concern. There are people that may take advantage of the situation"

Incredible!

The people taking advantage are possibly those same people higher up in the hierarchy who can't afford their lifestyle on their official salaries.

[buksida]

Thailand is just showing the world what a basket case country it is - more interested in making money out of stranded foreigners and charging its own people for the test where elsewhere it is free.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/int ... isruption/

It is at times like this that I despise this country and those that rule it - it is the absolute worst of humanity.

[HHTel]

Thailand is just showing the world what a basket case country it is - more interested in making money out of stranded foreigners and charging its own people for the test where elsewhere it is free.

For those that didn't know already, this is surely confirmation that this government is crazy. I've said it before but the more I hear from Cha-cha-cha, the more intelligent Trump appears.

That's probably the worst insult there can be!

[barrys]

Just to add on the situation in Cambodia - treatment for anyone who has caught the virus - includding foriegners - is currently free of charge.....

[londongeorge]

I am trying to do my 90 day report for my retirement visa online and cannot get past the first page. I have tried 2 different computers and 3 different browsers (Firefox, Chrome and Edge) and I always end up with the same message,"For further information regarding The 90-day Notification Report Service, please contact the Immigration Branch Office in your residence area." I do not want to go to the Immigration Office unless I really have to. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[MrTea]

There are a few threads on this problem on the TV forum. I'm not allowed to share links so DM if you don't know what I'm talking about.

[nanyang]

Thailand is just showing the world what a basket case country it is - more interested in making money out of stranded foreigners and charging its own people for the test where elsewhere it is free.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/int ... isruption/

It is at times like this that I despise this country and those that rule it - it is the absolute worst of humanity.

Whilst I'm not surprised by the current behaviour of the Thai authorities, having lived in Thailand for thirteen years until 2013, it is, nonetheless, shameful. People visiting the country, legally, are being hindered, not helped, at a time when they are most vulnerable. Is compassion part of the Buddhist creed?

[caller]

There are a few threads on this problem on the TV forum. I'm not allowed to share links so DM if you don't know what I'm talking about.

There's threads here as well. Threads on forums everywhere about this.

[hhinner]

@nanyang Please don't confuse Thai State Buddhism for the real thing.

[HHTel]

Tourists stranded in Koh Samui were treated badly by Immigration officials, a German tourist moaned. The tourist, whose name is being withheld by The Nation to spare him any potential trouble, complained that he and other tourists had to be in a crowded office at the Immigration centre in Koh Samui to apply for visa extension.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30385425

Absolutely disgraceful especially when many countries throughout the world and even in SE Asia are giving out contactless extensions (with no penalty) for foreigners stranded here.

[thecolonel]

You know all these extra documents that are being requested( such as utility bills and photographs of you at the room) are they ONLY for those visa exempt(30/60day) extensions?

Do they apply to 1 year retirement 'visas' (extension of stay)?

Thanks

Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk

[PeteC]

Immigration Bureau pursues visa relief for foreigners

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... foreigners

The Immigration Bureau (IB) plans to seek cabinet approval for a new raft of measures for three different categories of foreigners in Thailand affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

The proposal will be submitted to the cabinet for approval in the coming week, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, chief of the IB.

The proposal was drafted in line with an order by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who has expressed concerns about foreigners who have been left stranded in Thailand after many airlines stopped operating and countries imposed lockdowns, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong.

The foreigners are now divided into three groups: Foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand but cannot return to Thailand due to the Covid-19 crisis; foreign tourists who are unable to depart Thailand due to the crisis; and visitors from neighbouring countries who hold a temporary border pass and got stuck in Thailand after the borders were shut, he said.

Foreigners in the first group are normally required to return to Thailand within a year of their departure and since they might not be able to re-enter the country in time, the IB will propose extending their compulsory return deadline until after the pandemic subsides, he said.

The extension of the return period would not affect any immigration rights and benefits they usually receive when strictly following the one-year return period requirement, he added.

However, they are advised to return to Thailand as soon as they can after the pandemic subsides.

For foreign tourists in the second group who reported to immigration authorities for a 30-day extension after their visas expired on March 26 or thereafter, their visas will be automatically renewed every 30 days until the pandemic subsides, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong.

"Under the government's social distancing policy, these tourists will no longer have to visit the immigration bureau and risk contracting the virus in a crowd," he said.

This proposed measure, however, won't apply to those foreigners who are working and/or have a family in Thailand. They will still be required to report to immigration authorities regularly, he said.

For visitors from neighbouring countries in the third group, they will be allowed to stay in Thailand until the borders are re-opened, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong, adding they will be required to leave Thailand within seven days after the borders reopen.

The authority to re-open any border lies with the relevant provincial governor, he said.

Other foreigners who are now in Thailand and affected by the Covid-19 crisis, but aren't covered in the above three categories are advised to adhere to the usual laws, he said.

Earlier last month, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said there were some 500,000 tourists who would end up overstaying their visas now that countries in Europe have started sealing their borders to deal with Covid-19, preventing entry to their own citizens.

Most of the remaining tourists are long-stay elderly travellers from Germany, Italy and Russia who spend their winters here, said the minister.

They came to Thailand before the virus hit their hometowns and decided not to return home, fearing they would not receive sufficient healthcare in their countries during these trying times but are now left with few options, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong.

[Suua]

I am trying to do my 90 day report for my retirement visa online and cannot get past the first page. I have tried 2 different computers and 3 different browsers (Firefox, Chrome and Edge) and I always end up with the same message,"For further information regarding The 90-day Notification Report Service, please contact the Immigration Branch Office in your residence area." I do not want to go to the Immigration Office unless I really have to. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Hi London George,
I've just done mine....here's what I did.
Click this link....https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn90 ... 7Action.do
Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the information and click the *I have read and fully understand the above terms and conditions and agree to accept them"
This should make the "Accept" button turn light blue, and then you click on that.

Immigration1.png

(340.92 KiB) Downloaded 167 times

The next page that opens is....

Immigration2.png (262.36 KiB) Viewed 189 times

Click the Blue rectangle for 90 day reporting.

Fill in the form making sure you get the date correct for the 'Arrived in Thailand(Date)'.....this is the date stamped on the back of the TM6 arrivals card (little bit of paper left in/stapled into your passport).
After you've filled in all the info, click the submit button at the bottom and you should be good to go.....
Hope this helps.

[Dannie Boy]

I am trying to do my 90 day report for my retirement visa online and cannot get past the first page. I have tried 2 different computers and 3 different browsers (Firefox, Chrome and Edge) and I always end up with the same message,"For further information regarding The 90-day Notification Report Service, please contact the Immigration Branch Office in your residence area." I do not want to go to the Immigration Office unless I really have to. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Hi London George,
I've just done mine....here's what I did.
Click this link....https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn90 ... 7Action.do
Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the information and click the *I have read and fully understand the above terms and conditions and agree to accept them"
This should make the "Accept" button turn light blue, and then you click on that.
Immigration1.png

The next page that opens is....
Immigration2.png

Click the Blue rectangle for 90 day reporting.

Fill in the form making sure you get the date correct for the 'Arrived in Thailand(Date)'.....this is the date stamped on the back of the TM6 arrivals card (little bit of paper left in/stapled into your passport).
After you've filled in all the info, click the submit button at the bottom and you should be good to go.....
Hope this helps.

At least this proves the system is working - my 90 day renewal is due early May so I can try the online system from about the 22nd April - fingers crossed